BSAVA welcomes two new trustees to Board of Officers

19 May 2025

The BSAVA is pleased to announce the appointment of two new trustees to its Board of Officers. Niall Connell and Jo Megarity will formally take up their posts at the BSAVA’s Annual General Meeting, held on 19th June at Woodrow House in Gloucester.

Moving into the post of Junior Vice President is Niall Connell BVMS CertSAO Hon.DVM&S FRCVS, who has previously volunteered for BSAVA on the volunteer development committee. Having grown up in the West of Scotland, Niall gained his BVMS degree from Glasgow and entered mixed practice in Fife, before moving to PDSA in London, then back to Glasgow.

He previously served on RCVS council for ten years and was RCVS president in 2019/20, before becoming the RCVS Treasurer for two years. In 2022, he became FRCVS for meritorious contributions to the veterinary profession and is currently chair of the RCVS Fellowship Board. He is currently also a trustee of the Scottish SSPCA.

Speaking about his new role, Niall said: “I am thrilled to be accepted for this role. BSAVA is an incredible organisation and their important work in the veterinary community has helped to empower me through most of my professional career.”

Jo Megarity RVN will move into the post of Honorary Treasurer, making her the first vet nurse to be on the BSAVA’s Board of Officers. Jo has worked in the veterinary profession since 2007 and has always had a special interest in rabbits. She owns LagoLearn, which provides rabbit specific CPD to veterinary professionals in the UK and internationally.

Jo has received several awards over the years including the Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year, the IFAW Animal Advocate Award and an RCVS Innovation Award. Previously Jo was President of the BVNA in 2019/20 and is currently Secretary of the Association of Zoo and Exotic Veterinary Nurses (AZEVN) and a BSAVA volunteer on the Education Committee for the past one and a half years.

“I am delighted to join the BSAVA board and am very much looking forward to the challenge”, says Jo. “The veterinary landscape has changed so much in the past decade, and the BSAVA has always been there supporting both vets and nurses. It’s an honour to be the first ever nurse appointed as a BSAVA trustee and further shows the associations commitment to supporting the veterinary team approach; ensuring that nursing skill sets are both included and celebrated across all aspects of the association.”

Amanda Stranack, Chief Executive Officer at the BSAVA welcomed the new trustees, saying: “We are delighted to welcome Niall and Jo to the BSAVA Board of Officers. Their combined insight, experience and passion for the veterinary profession will be a huge asset as we continue to evolve. We look forward to the fresh perspectives they will bring to the Association’s strategic direction.”

The AGM will also mark the official handover of the BSAVA Presidency, as David Godfrey steps into the role, succeeding Julian Hoad, who will continue to serve on the Board as Senior Vice President.